Viewpoints: Acquisition strategies
Karen Quinn
Acquisitions Manager
BBC Worldwide Channels (Australasia)
Australia and New Zealand
What are your acquisitions strategies?
As we launched two new channels this time last year in brand new genres for us, building relationships with new distributors is always going to be key. In addition, family viewing has become more important with greater emphasis being placed on quality and value.
Torchwood - Children of Earth
What products are you looking for?
Buying for four channels all with different needs is a challenge but what they all have in common is a need for impact pieces that will create discussion and bring in a new audience. BBC Worldwide Channels (Australasia) aspires to bring its viewers the best programs. We are constantly on the lookout for the next big brand.
Can you name the most successful titles that you acquired this year?
Two of our major acquisitions this year were "Torchwood - Children of Earth" and "South Pacific". Not only were both very successful on air but also backed up by extremely strong marketing campaigns across all media.
What products will be in demand during MIPCOM 2009?
For our Entertainment channels, as a result of the global economic crisis we get a sense that people are increasingly looking to us as a means of escapism – hence comedy and fantasy drama are high on our agenda. Family viewing and a sense of shared experience is also crucial in maintaining the importance and value of home entertainment. For BBC Knowledge we are looking for charismatic and passionate experts that can guide our viewers through new topics and transport them to exciting places.
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